Remotely actuated flush valve system



Jan. 14, 1964 H. R. BILLETER 3,117,533

REMOTELY ACTUATED FLUSH VALVE SYSTEM Filed Oct. 26, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1-.-

/3 Fig, 9

FLU/D FILLED INVENTOR. HENRY R. B/LLETER PARKER 8 0A RTE]? A TTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1964 H. R. BILLETER 3,117,588

REMOTELY ACTUATED FLUSH VALVE SYSTEM I Filed. on. 26. 1960 2 sheets-sheet 2 FL U/D FILL E D IN VEN TOR.

HENRY R. B/LLETER PARKER 8 CARTER rman-rs United States Patent 3,117,588 REM TELY ATUATEB FLEEH VALVE SYf'sTEMi Henry ill. llilleter, Deeriield, lll., assignor to Sloan Valve (Iompany, Chicago, EL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Get. as, 19%, fier. No. 65,043 '7 Claims. (Cl. 137359) This invention relates in general to mechanisms for actuating valves and more par.icularly to a new and improved hydraulic actuating mechanism for operating flush valves of the type used in plumbing fixtures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved actuating mechanism for a flush valve conceale behind a wal in which the flush valve may be mounted without regard to: accurate roughing-in measurements, the position of the plumbing iixture, or the location of the manual actuating means, thereby saving on labor and installation costs.

A further obiect is to devise a new and improved hydraulic means for remotely controlling the actuation of a flush valve on a plumbing fixture whereby the usual complicated actuating, adjustable, and rigid mechanical connections are eliminated.

A further object is to design an improved and simple method of rigidly supporting the handle assembly upon a wall surface regardless of the thickness of the wall, so that it is not necessary to stock various lengths of handle assemblies.

A further object is to design a new and improved flush valve actuating mechanism which is positive and reliable in operation, simple in construction, easy to install, is adaptable to various wall thicknesses, and solves many unforeseen problems encountered in an installation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, operation, and combination of elements which will be more fully described, illustrated and pointed out hereinafter.

it is desirable in many plumbing installations that flush valves for flushing water closets be concealed behind a wall in front of which the water closet is located; In such a case, it is necessary that the handle for operating the flush valve protrude from the front of the wall where it is readily accessible to the user of the water closet, while the extension coupling of the handle passes through the wall and is rigidly connected to the flush valve. When installing such concealed flush valves, the plumber was formerly confronted many times with the problem of ordering the correct length of handle coupling because of the different wall thicknesses encountered and which may be changed when the wall is finally finished. Furthermore, it was always diflicult for the plumber to accurately line up the flush valve with the opening in the wall for the handle. It was also necessary for him to place the flush valve to the left of the closet bowl so the handle would be accessible on the side of the closet bowl. This required the use of additional elbows and piping connections from the flush valve outlet to the closet bowl, thereby increasing the cost of materials and labor.

The foregoing disadvantages are all overcome by the present invention in which a novel remotely controlled hydraulic actuator and mechanism is provided for a flush valve. The actuating mechanism is universally adapted for any wall thickness which may be encountered, the roughing-in of the flush valve need not be accurately made, the installation is much cheaper and simpler, and the need for the supplier to stock handle extensions of different lengths for various wall thicknesses is eliminated.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical plumbing installation illustrating the invention;

3,lll,588

FIG. 2 is a full size cross-sectional side view of the handle unit mounted in a wall;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the handle unit taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flush valve and the actuating unit supported thereon; while FIG. 5 is an end view of the actuating unit.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, there is illustrated a typical installation of a wall hung water closet bowl 5 mounted on a wall surface 6 and provided with a well-known type of flush valve such as a Sloan Crown flush valve 7 for flushing the closet bowl 5. A throttle valve 8 is attached to the flush valve inlet side and the water supply pipe h in turn to the throttle valve '8. The outlet flush pipes 1t and ill lead into the closet bowl 5 in the usual manner, and a manual operating handle 12 for operating the flush valve, protrudes from the front of the wall 6 where it is accessible to the user of the bowl. The handle unit assembly indicated generally at 13 is supported in the wall 6 while the actuating unit assembly indicated generally at 14 is mounted upon the flush valve 7. A fluid filled pipe or conduit 15 connects the two units 13 and 14 together.

in the enlarged view, FIG. 2, of the handle unit assembly 13, there is shown a cylindrical casing 17 passing through hole 18 in the wall 6. A wall flange 19 is threaded on the front end of casing 1'7 and is held or clamped to the front surface of the wall as shown. The inner flanged end 20 of the operating handle 12 bears against a shoulder 16 formed in the Wall flange l9. Slidably positioned within the casing 17 and having one end bearing against the handle end 24), is an operating plunger 21. The opposite end of plunger 21. is in abutting engagement with the bottom of a flexible cup-shaped diaphragm 22, the side walls 23 of which are in rolling engagement with the inner wall surface of casing 17. The diaphragm Z2 is formed with a beaded edge 24 which is clamped in a recess formed in the end of easing l7. An end plate 25 is secured at its edge portion by the spun-over part 26 of the casing 17 so that the beaded edge 24 of the diaphragm 22 is securely held and clamped in position on the end of casing 17 and in leakproof engagement therewith, t 1e edge 2 thereby serving as a seal as well as a support for the diaphragm 22.

The space indicated at 27 between the bottom of diaphragm 22 and the end plate 25 constitutes a fluid filled chamber from which the fluid is adapted to be displaced into conduit 15 whenever the diaphragm 22 is moved, as will be pointed out. A groove 28 formed in the end plate 25 enables the diaphragm 22 to readily break away from its contact with the end plate 25. A threaded plug 29 (see P18. 3) in end plate 25 enables the chamber 27 and conduit 15 to be filled with the fluid to charge the system. The end of conduit 15' is tightly fitted into the end plate 25 and is soldered or otherwise sealed at 35 to prevent leakage t that point. With tie system entirely charged with fluid, the diaphragm 22 will be normally pressed tightly against the plunger end 2-1, which plunger in turn is forced against the flange end 2.) of handle 12 to hold the handle in its normal horizontal position as shown. A shoulder as on casing 17 and another 37 on plunger 21, limit the forward movement of the plunger 21.

Threaded into the rear of end plate 25 is a threaded rod or stud 3%) which extends rearwardly therefrom and has a clamping nut Ell thereon adapted to engage the bottom of a cup-shaped clamping member 32. The opposite open edge 33 of clamping member 32. engages the rear of the wall 6 and when the nut ill is tightened on the rod 35 the casing 17 is firmly supported in position between the wall flange 19 and the cup edge 33. The depth of cup 32 is so chosen that for extremely thin walls 6, such as A" sheet metal Walls which may be encountered in some institutions, the casing 17 would still be held tightly in position, with the bottom of the cup closer, however, to the end plate 25. With the foregoing arrangement, it will be clear that the complete handle unit 13 is solidly supported upon the wall surface and that it is immaterial what the thickness of wall may be that is encountered. The adjustment is simply made by threading the clamping nut 31 on the stud 3t and in case the threaded stud is too long, the excess length may be cut off. With this construction the need for various size rigid couplings or extensions for the handle unit 13, is entirely dispensed with, and the installation is much simpler and easier to make. In order to facilitate the installation, the clamping cup member 32 is provided with an elongated slot 34 extending from the edge 33 along the side wall to slightly beyond the center and bottom axis of the cup. This enables the cup member 32 to be slid sideways into position behind the wall 6 with the threaded stud 3i and conduit 15 passing into the slot 34. The clamping nut 31 is of a size to effectively straddle the slot 34 so the cup member may be clamped in position.

Referring now specifically to the actuating unit 14 supported on the flush valve 7, as seen in FIG. 4, this unit comprises a cylindrical casing 50 having a shoulder 51 on one end, engaged by the coupling nut 52 which is threaded upon the flush valve body '7, to support the entire unit 14 rigidly in position on the flush valve. At its front end, casing is closed by an end plate 5'3 held in place by the edge portion 54 being spun over the plate 53 as shown.

Also clamped in position in the casing 50 is a cupshaped diaphragm 55 having a beaded edge portion 56 which is clamped to a shoulder formed in the casing end, by the end plate 53. This beaded edge 56 also serves as a seal to prevent leakage outward from the casing 50. The fluid filled conduit projects axially outward from the end plate 53 and is suitably sealed at 57. The bottom of diaphragm 55 engages the end of plunger head 58 and the side walls of the diaphragm 55 are in rolling engagement with the inner surface of the casing St The space 59 between the diaphragm 55 and end plate 53 is fluid filled and accessible to the fluid in conduit 15. For the purpose of guiding and supporting the plunger 58, there is provided a cup-shaped bushing oil, through the bottom end of which the plunger stem 61 extends. Bushing 6b is threaded at its top end into the inner wall of casing 5 and has slotted openings 62 at its bottom end around stem 61. A restoring spring 63 is placed around plunger stem 61 and extends between the plunger head 58 and the bottom of the bushing 69. The end of plunger stem bl is in position to operatively engage the stem 65 of the flush valve relief valve to trip the same and cause the flush valve to operate, in the manner to be pointed out.

It will be apparent that, with the foregoing construction as described, it is immaterial Where the flush valve is lo cated behind the wall in relation to its operating handle 12. it may be at any remote position relative to the handle and no particular problem need be experienced by the plumber installer to precisely position the flush valve, it being amply supported by the flush tubes ill and 11 from the wall 6 and by the inlet supply pipe 9. The flexible fluid filled conduit 15 can be of almost any length desired, and the excess simply bent (without kinking) out of the way. The location of the flush valve may be any distance in back of the wall and remote from the handle, as well as either right or left of the handle position. It furthermore can be located higher or lower than the handle, all positions being without effect upon the reliable operation of the valve and independent of the handle and the position of the spud connection to the closet bowl 5.

In the operation of the valve actuating arrangement according to the invention, the user actuates the handle 12 in any direction and this pushes the plunger 21 inward in casing 17 until the stops 36 and 37 halt the movement. Diaphragm 22 is caused to be pushed forward by plunger 2}. to displace the fluid in chamber 27 outward into conduit 15. During this movement of the diaphragm 22, its sides are rolled along or peeled off of the casing 17 inner walls. -The fluid movement in conduit 15 is effective in the chamber 59 of the actuating unit 14 to expand the chamber 59 and push diaphragm 5S inwardly. This action projects the plunger head 58 forward and with it stem 61 to contact the relief valve stem 65, resulting in an operation of the flush valve. The sides of the diaphragm roll along the walls of the casing 50 during the above movement and at the same time the restoring spring 63 is compressed.

Release of the operating handle 12 enables the spring 63 to force the plunger 58 and diaphragm 55 in the reverse direction, thereby displacing the liquid in chamber 59 through the conduit 15. At the handle unit 13 end, chamber 27 is expanded to its original width, forcing the diaphragm 22 and plunger 21 to the left and again holding the handle 12 in its normal horizontal position. Since the conduit 15 and both chambers 27 and 59 are entirely filled with fluid so that no air space exists any- Where in the hydraulic connection, the slightest movement of handle 12 will manifest itself in the instant corresponding movement of the plunger 61 in the flush valve. The restoring spring at all times maintains the fluid connection under constant pressure. Any loss of fluid would at once be evident by the drooping of the handle 12 and replenishment is readily made through the filler plug 29. The fluid system is initially charged with fluid at great precision, evacuating all air therefrom, the charge being just sufllcient that plunger 58 and stem 61 are positioned as shown with the end of plunger 61 about 1 inch away from the relief valve stem and the fluid chamber 59 of the capacity and size indicated, the restoring spring 63 providing the balancing medium to hold the parts in the exact position. It will be understood that while the fluid used is preferably ordinary water, any other suitable hydraulic fluid may be employed with equal advantage.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is capable of other modifications to one skilled in the art, and it is therefore not desired to limit the invention to the precise construction shown, but only to the extent of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flush valve operating arrangement, a handle unit mounted on a wall, a fluid filled conduit extending from said handle unit, said handle unit including a cylindrical casing extending through said Wall and having a wall flange mounted on the front end thereof with an operating handle projecting from the front end of said casing and through said wall flange, an end plate closing the rear end of said casing and providing a fluid filled space within said casing, said fluid filled conduit extending into said plate to communicate with the space in said casing, means in said casing responsive to the operation of said handle for displacing the fluid in said space into said conduit, a threaded stud projecting rearwardly from said casing end and having a clamping nut thereon, a clamping member between the rear of said wall surface and said clamping nut and enclosing the rear of said casing, said threaded stud and said fluid filled conduit passing through said clamping member, said clamping member enabling said casing to be accommodated in walls of different thicknesses and being clamped in position in said wall between said wall flange and said clamping nut.

2. In a flush valve operating arrangement, a handle unit mounted on a wall, a fluid filled conduit extending from said handle unit, said handle unit including a cylindrical casing passing through said wall having a wall flange on the front end thereof, an operating handle extending from the front end of said casing, an end plate on the rear end of said casing providing a fluid filled space in said casing, said conduit extending into said end plate into communication with said fluid filled space, means in said casing responsive to the operation of said handle for displacing the fluid in said space into said conduit, a threaded stud extending rearwardly from said end plate and having a clamping nut thereon, a cupshaped clamping member covering the rear end of said casing and through which said threaded stud extends, said clamping nut holding said clamping member against the rear wall surface and holding the wall flange against the front wall surface with said casing therebetween, whereby said casing may be accommodated in walls of various thicknesses.

3. The flush valve operating arrangement as set forth in claim 2 in which said clamping member has a slotted side to enable it to be slid into position on the rear of the wall, with said threaded stud and said conduit fitting into the slot and passing outward therefrom.

4. In a flush valve operating arrangement, a handle unit mounted on a wall, a fluid filled conduit extending from said handle unit, said handle unit including a cylindrical casing passing through said Wall and having a wall flange on the front end thereof, an operating handle extending from the front of said casing, an end plate on the rear end of said casing providing a fluid filled space in said casing, said conduit extending into an opening in said end plate and into communication with said fluid filled space, means in said casing responsive to the operation of said handle for causing the fluid in said fluid filled space to be displaced into said conduit, said end plate having a plug closed opening therein for inserting the fluid in said fluid filled space, a threaded stud extending from said end plate, and a clamping member held by means on said threaded stud supporting said casing on said wall between said wall flange and said clamping member regardless of the thickness of said wall.

5. In a flush valve operating arrangement, a handle unit mounted on a wall, a fluid filled conduit extending from said handle unit, said handle unit including a cylindrical casing passing through the wall and having an operating handle on the front end thereof, a wall flange attached to the front end of said casing and engaging 'the front of the wall, an end plate on the rear of said casing to which one end of said conduit is connected, a diaphragm in said casing spaced from said end plate to provide a fluid filled space therebetween, a plunger in said casing between said diaphragm and said operating handle, the operation of said handle causing said plunger to project said diaphragm forward into said fluid filled space to displace the fluid therein into said conduit, and means for supporting said handle unit in walls of various thicknesses comprising a cup-shaped clamping member having its open end in engagement with the rear of the Wall and its bottom end spaced therefrom whereby on walls having a thickness less than the depth of said cupshaped member said handle unit will extend partially into said cup-shaped member, and on thicker walls the handle unit will be spaced further out of said cup-shaped member, and means for clamping said cup-shaped member to said wall, said clamping means engaging said casing end to hold said wall flange against the front of the Wall and the cup-shaped member against the rear of the Wall with said casing therebetween.

6. The flush valve operating arrangement as set forth in claim 5 in which the means for clamping said cupshaped member to said rear wall and said wall flange to said front wall with said casing therebetween, comprises a threaded stud passing through said cup-shaped member and threaded into said casing end plate, together with a nut on said threaded stud threaded against the rear side of said cup-shaped member.

7. The flush valve operating arrangement as set forth in claim 5 in which the means for clamping said cupshaped member to said rear wall and said wall flange to said front wall with said casing therebetween, comprises a threaded stud extending from said casing end plate and a nut on said stud threaded against the rear of said cup-shaped member, said cup-shaped member having a slot cut in the side thereof to enable said cupshaped member to be slid around the threaded stud from the side thereof without removing the nut therefrom.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,300,717 Fulton Apr. 15, 1919 1,477,419 Bertram Dec. 11, 1923 1,856,845 Donahue May 3, 1932 2,308,478 Lingold Jan. 12, 1943 2,733,572 Butterfield Feb. 7, 1956 2,747,604 Fraser May 29, 1956 2,858,846 Parker Nov. 4, 1958 3,013,392 Falge Dec. 19, 1961 

1. IN A FLUSH VALVE OPERATING ARRANGEMENT, A HANDLE UNIT MOUNTED ON A WALL, A FLUID FILLED CONDUIT EXTENDING FROM SAID HANDLE UNIT, SAID HANDLE UNIT INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL CASING EXTENDING THROUGH SAID WALL AND HAVING A WALL FLANGE MOUNTED ON THE FRONT END THEREOF WITH AN OPERATING HANDLE PROJECTING FROM THE FRONT END OF SAID CASING AND THROUGH SAID WALL FLANGE, AN END PLATE CLOSING THE REAR END OF SAID CASING AND PROVIDING A FLUID FILLED SPACE WITHIN SAID CASING, SAID FLUID FILLED CONDUIT EXTENDING INTO SAID PLATE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SPACE IN SAID CASING, MEANS IN SAID CASING RESPONSIVE TO THE OPERATION OF SAID HANDLE FOR DISPLACING THE FLUID IN SAID SPACE INTO SAID CONDUIT, A THREADED STUD PROJECTING REARWARDLY FROM SAID CASING END AND HAVING A CLAMPING NUT THEREON, A CLAMPING MEMBER BETWEEN THE REAR OF SAID WALL SURFACE AND SAID CLAMPING NUT AND ENCLOSING THE REAR OF SAID CASING, SAID THREADED STUD AND SAID FLUID FILLED CONDUIT PASSING THROUGH SAID CLAMPING MEMBER, SAID CLAMPING MEMBER ENABLING SAID CASING TO BE ACCOMMODATED IN WALLS OF DIFFERENT THICKNESSES AND BEING CLAMPED IN POSITION IN SAID WALL BETWEEN SAID WALL FLANGE AND SAID CLAMPING NUT. 